SMALL ENGINE REPAIR

If you wanted to know about Small Engine Repair you could do worse than start with their name. That suggestion of containment, care and attention, recycling rather than obsolescence, being comfortable with not being the biggest or the most powerful; all of these are qualities that run through the band’s intricate and beautifully poised music. Born and raised in Hereford, the bands debut LP ‘Serve Yourself’ delivers twelve songs that encompass the singalong hookworm of its title track, the observational, spoken word ‘God’s Given Up On Him’ and the self-referential dark comedy of ‘Pretty Hateful’. The understatement that permeates the tracks is decisive and deliberate, an indication of the maturity of this bunch of twenty-somethings. Instrumentation is used sparingly and intelligently throughout to create an album rich in primary melody. Such care to attention applies to the recording of ‘Serve Yourself’. Tom taking the lead role in a home that rapidly became a studio, a journey that reinforces the purity of the creative vision at the heart of the band. Phil points to the likes of Daniel Johnston, Elbow, Nick Cave and Eels as artists with whom he feels Small Engine Repair share DNA. Small is beautiful once more. ‘Serve Yourself’ is released on ‘iLabel via Hit Music Co on 27th January 2014.